By Gary Parker
Local missionary teaches Spanish, English
I start this week, with a "Chamber Highlight.” Several years ago, Claudio and Celia Valencia moved to Fort Gibson with their three sons, Samuel and Daniel, currently in college, and Ian, in the eighth grade. They reside in Southern Oaks and are currently serving as Hispanic missionaries for the First Baptist Church.
Besides helping with an English Second Language class from 4 to 6 p.m. on Sundays, Celia is starting a Spanish Second Language class at the church from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Mondays. That started this past Monday evening at the First Baptist Church. There is no cost to attend the class and Celia is not charging to teach the class, but there is a book charge of $15.
Both Claudio and Celia do many things for our Hispanic community that we don't know about or that has nothing to do with denomination. This includes reaching out to the community and helping anyone who needs Spanish translation help, in both the school system or in business.
Claudio hopes to go on a mission to Russia in October and the family is accepting donations for this cause. Celia has worked at Scott's Pharmacy and is currently working at Armstrong Bank, here in Fort Gibson. Both of the older sons have worked at Charlie's Chicken here.
As a chamber, we appreciate their involvement and support of our community. Thank you Darla Cantrell, for bring them to our attention, for this week's "Chamber Highlight.”
For additional information on the classes mentioned above, you can contact the First Baptist Church at 478-8573.
If you know of a person(s), business, or group that deserves to be recognized, please drop me an email ... fortgibson@sbcglobal.net.
A special note to all runners and walkers: Don't miss the "Spring Fling for a Cause,” 5K and One-Mile Fun Run (Walk), that is scheduled for 7:30 a.m. March 27, beginning just West of the railroad tracks on West Poplar Avenue. This new event is being put on for the specific purpose of helping the Special Olympics.
You can sign up ahead of time, by contacting Lisa Walkingstick at 869-0473, or by just showing up on race day. Race day entries will need to be there very early to get signed up, and be ready to run at 7:30. Entry is $20, which includes a great T-shirt, plus treats and surprises. There are also special group or team rates of $15.
Additionally, we are in need of volunteers to help out that morning. If you are willing to give a couple hours, beginning at 6:30 a.m., until about 9 a.m., please contact Lisa or myself here at the chamber ... 478-4780 or 577-2069.
I need to mention a change in the date for the Fort Gibson Historic Golf Tournament, at Pecan Valley Golf Course. The date has been changed to May 15, because of a conflict in the previously announced date of May 22. The always-fun and exciting four-man scramble will start with tee-off at 8:30 a.m. on May 15. Cost to enter the event is $200 per foursome ($50 per golfer), and that includes 18 holes of golf, a cart, official T-shirt, lunch, along with great cash and merchandise prizes. Additionally, companies can sponsor a hole for $500, which includes four golfers, and special recognition on one of the holes on the course.
For additional information, you can contact the chamber or Cliff Garrett, at 478-9774. Time to get those clubs out of the closet and start practicing, so you are ready for this great event. There will be special prizes for longest drive and closest to the pin, as well. We will even sell a few mulligans, to help your score ... for those of us that need that. The tournament is open to everyone, and we invite the ladies to participate as well. A great time for all.
We have come up with a great design for this year's Car, Truck, & Motorcycle Show, scheduled for June 11-12. It will be a duplication of the picture owned by Kirk Boatright and displayed on the wall in Pat Green's office at the Fort Gibson State Bank, of the house at 112 S. Lee St. Several cars are lined up in car-show fashion. This picture taken in the 1920's, looks to possibly be the first ever car show in the area.
The Car Show Committee thought it would be a perfect signature for our 16th Annual Car, Truck, & Motorcycle Show, here in downtown Fort Gibson. We are going to try and get prints of the photo for sale as well. Regardless, it will make a great T-shirt, and promises to be another super show this year. As usual, the burnout contest and loud pipe contest will take place Friday evening and the car show and cruise will take place on Saturday, June 11-12. We look forward to a great show, with great entries, so don't miss it.
